As part of “social distancing” measures to stop the illness being spread, National Parliament President Arao Noe said strict access regulations and distancing rules would be enforced in National Parliament.

"National Parliament is a public place, everyone can enter but we must keep our distance from each other,” Noe told media in Dili.

He emphasised that journalists must continue to cover parliamentary sittings, and that National Parliament sittings would continue to operate as scheduled.

Authorities have enforced strict travel restrictions in and out of Timor-Leste.

Noe gave the directive following the first case of coronavirus in Timor-Leste being detected on Saturday.